My guess as to how the current/future USL-Pro teams will fall if MLS affiliations are required:

Antigua Barracuda - almost forcibly kicked out, close to absolutely no MLS team. could close travel to PR make NASL an affordable option?

Charleston Battery - not near an MLS team, could this be the nudge that pushes them back to D2?

Charlotte Eagles - MLS farm system concept doesn't mesh well with their Christian mission. Don't have the $ to go NASL (who also may not necessarily want a religious nonprofit team). Could easily drop to PDL.

Dayton Dutch Lions - seems like a no-brainer for Columbus Crew Reserves at first. But could that be too much of a conflict with their role a as a feeder/$ source for Twente FC? They could easily drop down as both could be accomplished in the PDL without outside interference from a second "parent club".

Los Angeles Blues - only question is if they become Los Angeles Galaxy Reserves or the GrinGoats' B team.

Orlando City - one of the most succesful USL-Pro franchises, bothon and off the field, but not neart an MLS club, timing may be perfect for a move to the NASL

Pittsburgh Riverhounds - could be Crew Reserves if Dayton bolts for PDL. Maybe the new stadium could propel them to high-enough revenue levels to jump to NASL, but they'll only have the benefit of one season of the new stadium beforee having to move to another league if they can't get an affiliation with an MLS club, so an NASL jump would be a true leap of faith. However, a drop to PDL would be a big blow after getting an SSS. A true wild card.

Richmond Kickers - likely DC United Reserves, might drop to PDL

Rochester Rhinos - could be Toronto FC Reserves or New York Red Bulls Reserves, but what was said above about the Charleston Battery may also apply quite easily here.

Wilmington Hammerheads - Not near an MLS team, attendance seems to suggest that the NASL may be a possibility, but recent franchise history may suggest the same re: the PDL option. Maybe there's a MLS team willing to have a distant affiliate? A bigger enigma in regards to their reaction to this than the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Phoenix FC/City/Wolves/City Wolves/Country Wolves/Wake Me When You Pick A Name - Maybe they affiliate with the LA MLS team who doesn't pair up with the Blues?

VSI Tampa Bay/Tampa Flames - too far from an MLS team to be an affiliate, already in an NASL market. Could this be falling apart before it even starts?

What? Anyone care to explain what he is talking about? I highly doubt any other country has two federations.

If he's suggesting MLS as an "outlaw" (non-FIFA) league, I seem to remember that working reeeeeally well for the outdoor [1967] NPSL (so well they had to merge with the FIFA-sanctioned USA to stay afloat).

Wow. Imagine how this would affect the Charlotte Eagles who are more of a Christian missionary organization with a soccer team than a soccer team with a missionary angle . Completely disrupts their entire reason for being.

My guess as to how the current/future USL-Pro teams will fall if MLS affiliations are required:

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You're assuming they're going to be "required." If I owned a USL Pro team, I don't know that I'd necessarily opt for becoming a fiefdom unless somebody's going to do a hell of a lot more for me than pay five players' salaries.

Antigua Barracuda - almost forcibly kicked out, close to absolutely no MLS team. could close travel to PR make NASL an affordable option?

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That's one team. Two if you count Fort Lauderdale. Antigua has many, many problems, and calling the NASL "affordable" for them is ridiculous. I would be mildly surprised if their FA - which bankrolled the club in hopes of it helping the national team's qualifying run - didn't pull their support entirely.

Charleston Battery - not near an MLS team, could this be the nudge that pushes them back to D2?

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So a "nudge" so they can lose more money? They went to D3 for a reason, and it's worked out fine for them.

Charlotte Eagles - MLS farm system concept doesn't mesh well with their Christian mission. Don't have the $ to go NASL (who also may not necessarily want a religious nonprofit team). Could easily drop to PDL.

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They could, certainly. There wouldn't be much difference in their budget, I would imagine. They've been professional for 20 years, though.

Dayton Dutch Lions - seems like a no-brainer for Columbus Crew Reserves at first. But could that be too much of a conflict with their role a as a feeder/$ source for Twente FC? They could easily drop down as both could be accomplished in the PDL without outside interference from a second "parent club".

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How much have they fed Twente, actually? Their true mission is to support their Academy, which is the only thing their parent really cares about. They've shown they can't run a professional team in any way, shape or form.

Probably the only team that would truly benefit from this arrangement, given their limitations.

Los Angeles Blues - only question is if they become Los Angeles Galaxy Reserves or the GrinGoats' B team.

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Or fold. Because if they're losing $800k a year and nobody's going to see them now, they're not going to start suddenly going to Fullerton to see MK Juans.

Orlando City - one of the most succesful USL-Pro franchises, bothon and off the field, but not neart an MLS club, timing may be perfect for a move to the NASL.

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You are - again - presuming these are these teams' only options. Even if every team is going to have an "MLS affiliate," big deal. We had that back in 1996-2000. It didn't mean a loss of identity. Most of the time, it didn't even mean anything other than playing friendlies occasionally.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds - could be Crew Reserves if Dayton bolts for PDL. Maybe the new stadium could propel them to high-enough revenue levels to jump to NASL,

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This is the third time in this post you have proposed someone moving up to the NASL as if that's splurging on the Venti instead of the Grande. It's more expensive than that. Maybe maybe maybe possibly possibly possibly this might happen could this happen I wonder blah blah blah.

but they'll only have the benefit of one season of the new stadium beforee having to move to another league if they can't get an affiliation with an MLS club, so an NASL jump would be a true leap of faith. However, a drop to PDL would be a big blow after getting an SSS. A true wild card.

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They have no money. They haven't had any money for years. They should derive more revenue from their stadium. But they'll still be limited in how much money they can generate from it.

Richmond Kickers - likely DC United Reserves, might drop to PDL

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Or...you know...not.

Rochester Rhinos - could be Toronto FC Reserves or New York Red Bulls Reserves, but what was said above about the Charleston Battery may also apply quite easily here.

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Because they have no ambition whatsoever, right? Oy.

Wilmington Hammerheads - Not near an MLS team, attendance seems to suggest that the NASL may be a possibility, but recent franchise history may suggest the same re: the PDL option. Maybe there's a MLS team willing to have a distant affiliate? A bigger enigma in regards to their reaction to this than the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Phoenix FC/City/Wolves/City Wolves/Country Wolves/Wake Me When You Pick A Name - Maybe they affiliate with the LA MLS team who doesn't pair up with the Blues?

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Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time? Maybe if we all clap our hands together and think positive thoughts, we can fly!

VSI Tampa Bay/Tampa Flames - too far from an MLS team to be an affiliate, already in an NASL market. Could this be falling apart before it even starts?

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And what did Roger really say to Naomi? Are Kris and Bruce really getting a divorce? What will happen on the next episode?

Sacramento - likely San Jose Earthquakes Reserves

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Before they've even kicked a ball.

Did you even read the proposed arrangements? If there's an MLS team nearby, the MLS team would pay the salaries of five players. They wouldn't become the MLS reserve team. The MLS reserve team becomes a standalone USL Pro team if there's no USL Pro team near them.

You're assuming they're going to be "required." If I owned a USL Pro team, I don't know that I'd necessarily opt for becoming a fiefdom unless somebody's going to do a hell of a lot more for me than pay five players' salaries.

That's one team. Two if you count Fort Lauderdale. Antigua has many, many problems, and calling the NASL "affordable" for them is ridiculous. I would be mildly surprised if their FA - which bankrolled the club in hopes of it helping the national team's qualifying run - didn't pull their support entirely.

So a "nudge" so they can lose more money? They went to D3 for a reason, and it's worked out fine for them.

They could, certainly. There wouldn't be much difference in their budget, I would imagine. They've been professional for 20 years, though.

How much have they fed Twente, actually? Their true mission is to support their Academy, which is the only thing their parent really cares about. They've shown they can't run a professional team in any way, shape or form.

Probably the only team that would truly benefit from this arrangement, given their limitations.

Or fold. Because if they're losing $800k a year and nobody's going to see them now, they're not going to start suddenly going to Fullerton to see MK Juans.

You are - again - presuming these are these teams' only options. Even if every team is going to have an "MLS affiliate," big deal. We had that back in 1996-2000. It didn't mean a loss of identity. Most of the time, it didn't even mean anything other than playing friendlies occasionally.

This is the third time in this post you have proposed someone moving up to the NASL as if that's splurging on the Venti instead of the Grande. It's more expensive than that. Maybe maybe maybe possibly possibly possibly this might happen could this happen I wonder blah blah blah.

They have no money. They haven't had any money for years. They should derive more revenue from their stadium. But they'll still be limited in how much money they can generate from it.

Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time? Maybe if we all clap our hands together and think positive thoughts, we can fly!

And what did Roger really say to Naomi? Are Kris and Bruce really getting a divorce? What will happen on the next episode?

Before they've even kicked a ball.

Did you even read the proposed arrangements? If there's an MLS team nearby, the MLS team would pay the salaries of five players. They wouldn't become the MLS reserve team. The MLS reserve team becomes a standalone USL Pro team if there's no USL Pro team near them.

Just bizarre. This was...out there.

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The reports thus far have stated that every team would have an MLS affiliate (that seemed to me to mean "required"). If this is the case, I could see a few teams with no good options (too far to be an affiliate, too little $ to go NASL, don't want to lose ticket revenue from lower prices/shorter schedule in PDL).

Also, I was using "team x reserves" to mean the USL-Pro affiliate of said MLS team.

I have done some checking around and from what I have found out there will be some inter play between USLPRO teams and MLS reserve teams, 2-3 games. There was no mention of MLS reserves playing on USL teams or USL teams be affiliated to a particular MLS team. I got the impression that they would see how this went and look to do more in the future.

I have done some checking around and from what I have found out there will be some inter play between USLPRO teams and MLS reserve teams, 2-3 games. There was no mention of MLS reserves playing on USL teams or USL teams be affiliated to a particular MLS team. I got the impression that they would see how this went and look to do more in the future.

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This sounds much more plausible. It won't disrupt the competition of USLPro and gives the reserves more matches. Probably see a stronger connection in the future.

This sounds much more plausible. It won't disrupt the competition of USLPro and gives the reserves more matches. Probably see a stronger connection in the future.

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2. If there’s no USLPRO team, the MLS reserve side will become a new, permanent team in USLPRO.

A "new, permanent team" doesn't sound like something that would have teams just having one off games against USL-Pro teams...... maybe next year we might see "friendlies" like that... but in the long term it sounds like they want reserve squads playing within the actual league.

The reports thus far have stated that every team would have an MLS affiliate (that seemed to me to mean "required"). If this is the case, I could see a few teams with no good options (too far to be an affiliate, too little $ to go NASL, don't want to lose ticket revenue from lower prices/shorter schedule in PDL).

Also, I was using "team x reserves" to mean the USL-Pro affiliate of said MLS team.

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MLS affiliation doesn't necessarily means becoming a full on reserve team.... the Union and Harrisburg have been "affiliated" for a few years now, and they are definitely 2 distinct entities...

the "affiliate" aspect is the most interesting part of the news for me, just from a standpoint of independent some teams will be and what benefits the MLS teams will get from the affiliation...

if Kansas City for example already has an independent reserve squad playing in USL-Pro there isn't much reason to loan a player out to the affiliated team in Orlando for example.... maybe we will see different "levels" of affiliations....

Just antother thought here.... but Jason Davis said earlier today on twitter that when talking about a "nearby" team meant the way his source gave him the information it sounded like they meant "same city"... so obviously that only would leave the LA Blues...

perhaps Chivas/Galaxy simply buy out the Blues and convert it to their reserve team? We could then we see the 18 other teams enter their existing reserve squads into a much more regional USL Pro.... this would surely cut down on travel costs for the existing teams, and keep travel costs down for the new MLS Reserve sides and keep the players nearby...

My concern is teams like Orlando/Tampa/etc, who are not close to an MLS team (closeness was emphasized in re: to the affiliations). Will they allow distant affiliations (as exist in other sports' farm system)? Will they allow independents in those cases? Will those teams be forced out (doubtful)?

My concern is teams like Orlando/Tampa/etc, who are not close to an MLS team (closeness was emphasized in re: to the affiliations). Will they allow distant affiliations (as exist in other sports' farm system)? Will they allow independents in those cases? Will those teams be forced out (doubtful)?

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how would they be forced out?

I imagine they will allow a distance affiliation, if it is required, i just cant see the USL BOG (team owners) agreeing to something that would force them out of business.

We can all speculate on what is going to happen but until something more concrete comes out we are all just guessing on how this is going to play out.

No one, really. Ted is upset that the US Soccer has paid little or no attention to the 100th Anniversary of the Open Cup because they're in the pocket of "Big MLS." Apparently, MLS doesn't want to talk about the Open Cup because it reminds people of the beauty of pro/rel and will cause the proles to revolt and demand its institution in the USA.

It seems like the either/or scenario is from the USL teams' perspective: either a USL team is affiliated with a local MLS team (the 5 players thing) or it remains independent. Either the MLS team is affiliated with a local USL team or its reserve team is run indpendently.

It seems like the either/or scenario is from the USL teams' perspective: either a USL team is affiliated with a local MLS team (the 5 players thing) or it remains independent. Either the MLS team is affiliated with a local USL team or its reserve team is run indpendently.

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Read point 3 here. sounds like all USL teams will have MLS parent clubs.

Teams likely looking at distant affiliations (assuming the reports of all teams being affiliated are true):

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I might be missing your point but I don't see how that "forces" a team out. Its not like MLS is buying the USL clubs and an affiliation could just be the MLS team providing the USL team a bag of practice balls.

I might be missing your point but I don't see how that "forces" a team out. Its not like MLS is buying the USL clubs and an affiliation could just be the MLS team providing the USL team a bag of practice balls.

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exactly... while I'm sure some affiliations may be closer than others... (loaning players out to the team reguarly, sharing best practices, etc.) others may be very lose.... like an agreement to come down to Orlando or Charleston to play in their pre-season tournament...